June 21, 2022 | Buying

Best Neighbourhoods in Toronto for Families | Ryan Roberts

Toronto has become one of the largest North American cities we rank 4th. One of the many appealing aspects of Toronto is the diversity of our neighbourhoods. Toronto has 140 official neighbourhoods to choose from. Choosing one could sound daunting. It doesn’t need to be. Each Toronto neighbourhood offers excellent elements to choose from.  Whether you are a couple preparing for a newborn or a young family growing up faster than you could have ever imagined, you are likely considering the best places to live in. Here is our list of some of the best neighbourhoods for families to live in. Acknowledging that there are 140 Toronto neighbourhoods, there are many more that we would be happy to chat to you about if you wish, you may contact us here.

Here is a helpful guide for the best places to raise a family in Toronto:

Toronto Street Cars

 

1. Riverdale

Located just east of Toronto’s downtown core, Riverdale is surrounded by tree-lined streetscapes and two and three-story Victorian homes. These century homes have been renovated into perfect homes for young families. If you’re career-driven and working, you’ll have convenient access to transit for your commute to work. Riverdale is surrounded by colourful shopping districts and open green spaces like Riverdale Park (image above), which offers sports and tobogganing in the wintertime.

The neighbourhood is known for its arts and multiculturalism. From the many art galleries along Queen Street East and the various cultural neighbourhoods, it is the heart of Toronto’s Greek district and the most extensive Greek Neighbourhood in North America.

Honourable mention goes to Riverdale’s neighbouring areas, Riverside and Corktown. Riverside and Corktown are home to several newer condo developments that are reasonably priced, have good layouts and offer a more peaceful area and parks to enjoy. It’s also worth noting that the TTC Subway development will make a once challenging commute a breeze while also driving real estate prices up.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Riverdale Neighbourhood Guide.

Riverdale housing

 

2. Bedford Park

Bedford Park was initially annexed by the City of North Toronto in the late 1890s. Bedford Park is one of the few neighbourhoods in the entire city where you can walk at least 30 minutes in any given direction and feel safe. This neighbourhood and the surrounding neighbourhoods have long stood as safe, family-oriented locales.  It’s been an excellent neighbourhood since World War II when most houses in Toronto were built.

That being said, there has been a great deal of infill housing over the last 25 years. The housing selection offers many semi-detached homes with more affordability through detached homes on lots from 20-30 feet in width. The TDSB schools are top-notch; they have been amongst the best in the city for decades.  The park system is fantastic, beginning in the flower park behind John Locke Library, which takes you through the city via excellent trails ending at Lake Ontario. It is the ultimate family adventure!

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Bedford Park Neighbourhood Guide.

Best Family Parks In Toronto 

3. Roncesvalles

Roncesvalles is one of the best places to raise a family in Toronto and outdoor enthusiasts. Roncesvalles is a mix of culture and adventure. Dozens of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes are among the attached and semi-detached homes. Toronto’s “Little Poland” has a European, small-town feel in the heart of the big city with a warm and inviting community. Being so close to High Park means it’s an excellent area for adventure. From waterfront biking to walking the trails, this tight-knit community is a perfect spot for enjoying the outdoors. The addition of the Bloor Street UP Express station now means that Roncevallalles is very accessible to the downtown and Pearson Airport.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Roncesvalles Neighbourhood Guide.

Cherry blossoms Toronto

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4. The Beaches

If you haven’t been to the Beaches yet, then you are missing out on the best spot to be in the summer! You cannot beat the accessibility to Lake Ontario’s beaches. The stretch of cafes and restaurants along Queen Street East is lovely to stroll down with the family. The Beaches Jazz Festival is a fantastic way to spend an evening with the family. Queen Street shuts down for pedestrian use only while the music fills the evening air. It’s a great deal of fun!

Toronto Beaches Neighbourhood Housing

 

5. Bloor West Village

This quaint area of west Toronto is a beautiful mix of architecture. The shops along Bloor Street West are inviting. The best part, by far, is the easy access to “Toronto’s Central Park,” or so I like to call our High Park. This 400-acre public space is incredible. The Cherry Blossoms in the spring have people from all over Toronto strolling through the floral oasis set alongside Grenadier Pond. An essential bucket list experience is Shakespeare in the Park at the High Park Amphitheatre. Be sure to bring a picnic for the family to enjoy!

 

Check out our comprehensive list of Toronto neighbourhoods!

 

6. Wychwood

Perched above the downtown core, Wychwood is a beautiful, family-centric neighbourhood. The hill overlooking the city offers incredible views! With the ease of access to a dedicated TTC Streetcar line and St. Clair West Subway Station, this neighbourhood has access to the downtown without being in its centre. Many restaurants and cafes fill this stretch of St. Clair West. Wychwood Barns conversion has become a hub for the community with weekend events through to Famers Market. An additional upside for families is that the house and property size are still good value for Toronto standards. And don’t forget Forrest Hill is your neighbour, which means 1) safety; 2) home value stability; 3) a highly regarded neighbourhood always equates to excellent value performance.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Wychwood Neighbourhood Guide.

 

7. Leaside

Historically speaking, Leaside was known for post-war bungalows. Infill housing has changed this once sleepy area into one of Toronto’s more highly desirable family neighbourhoods. Things are changing with the Eglinton TTC line being built for what has been a very car-centric neighbourhood. The addition of TTC subway stops will drive values up even more in the future. The schools are fantastic; community events are on display weekly. Also, Leaside is one of the best baseball programs for kids, which is not common in Toronto! Leaside is family-centric. We believe part of the reason is that many residents feel they don’t need to leave their neighbourhood to have fun. There is so much to do close at hand.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Leaside Neighbourhood Guide.

 

8. Davisville Village

Davisville village seems to have long been overlooked in favour of areas like Yonge & Eglinton and Yonge & St. Clair. It always surprises us as transportation is excellent, lots of shops and restaurants to appeal to everyone. Not only this, but the houses are great, perfect condos on Merton Street (and don’t look now, the Yonge corridor has several condos being developed! Including 276 Merton Street Condos). The schools are fantastic! Like many great family neighbourhoods in Toronto, one can walk 30 minutes in any direction and feel safe walking through the streets of Leaside, Summerhill, Rosedale, North Toronto and Chaplin Estates.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Davisville Neighbourhood Guide.

 

9. Leslieville

What was once an area that few Torontonians wanted to live in has become a vibrant, engaging area full of families and young professionals. Good luck counting the number of strollers out for a Saturday stroll in search of brunch! Many of the narrower Leslieville houses boast a lot of character. Add in the creative flair of the newer generation, and you have some great spaces! It’s also worth noting that the Beach isn’t that far – whether Cherry Beach is just past the Docklands or the Beaches. Nature is closer than you think!

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Leslieville Neighbourhood Guide.

 

10. Dovercourt Park

Maybe you haven’t heard of Dovercourt Park? It’s not a Toronto neighbourhood commonly mentioned. The funny thing is neighbourhoods like Dufferin Grove, Corso Italia and The Junction get the headlines. DO NOT overlook Dovercourt Park. This neighbourhood has many young families who love to keep their centrally located park to themselves…appropriately named Dovercourt Park. This housing stalk is much like Dufferin Grove, just a little smaller in scale, thus the financial viability for younger families to get a foothold.

For more information on this neighbourhood, read our Dovercourt Neighbourhood Guide.

 

We are here to help you should you like to purchase a fantastic house. Contact us here, and we will walk through your options and help ensure that you get exactly what you want with professional, honest and wise advice. 

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